SECTION III.
Having heard the entire history of the intelligent Rāma, capable of conferring religious merit and the two other cognate objects, as well as emancipation, Vālmiki again sought to get insight into it. And, seating himself facing the east on a cushion of kusa grass, and sipping water according to the ordinance, he addressed himself to the contemplation of the subject through yoga. And by virtue of his yoga powers, he clearly observed before him Rāma, and Lakshmana, and Sitā, and Daçarātha together with his wives in his kingdom, laughing, and talking, and acting, and bearing themselves as in real life. And he saw into all that was endured by Rāma firm in promise, with his wife for the third. And like an emblic myrobalan on his palm, that righteous-souled one, by virtue of his yoga, perceived all that had happened as well as all that would happen in future. And having truly seen everything by virtue of his contemplation, that magnanimous one set about recording the charming Rāma's history. And agreeably to what had been related by the mighty-souled Nārada, that worshipful saint composed the history of Ragu's line, conferring profit and pleasure, and impregnated with qualities fraught with them, and, like unto the ocean, abounding in riches, and captivating ear and mind. And Rāma's birth, and mighty prowess, and kindness to all, and popularity, and forbearance, and good- ness, and truthfulness, and the wonderful converse he had with Viswāmitra; and the nuptials of Jānaki; and the snapping of the bow; and the hostilities of Rāma with Rāma (Parasurāma); and the noble qualities of Daçarātha's son; and Rāma's installation; and the enmity of Kaikeyi; and the obstacle in the way of the installation; and the exile of Rāma; and the king's grief, lamentations, and departure for the other regions; and the grief of the subjects, and their dismissal by Rāma to Ayodhyā; and the tidings of the lord of Nishādas; and the charioteer's return; and the crossing of the Ganges; and Rāma's interview with Bharadwāja; and his arrival at Chitrakuta in consonance with Bharadwāja's injunction; and Rāma's building a mansion there and sojourn; and Bharata's arrival, and his propitiation of Rāma; and Rāma's offering oblations to the manes of his father; and the installation of the sandals; and Bharata's dwelling at Nandigrāma; Rāma's removal to Dandaka and destruction of Virādha; Rāma's interview with Sarabhanga and meeting with Sutikshna; and Sitā's companionship with Anusuyā, and the latter's painting the former; and Rāma's interview with Agastya, and his obtaining the bow from him; and the story of Surpanakhā and her disfigurement; and the slaughter of Khara Tricira; and the exertions of Rāvana; the destruction of Māricha, and the carrying away of Vaidehi; Rāghava's lamentations, and the death of the king of vultures; Rāma's encounter with Kavandha, (a headless demon) and his view of Pampā; Rāma's interview with Savari, and his subsistence there on fruits and roots; Rāma's lamentations, at Pampā, and meeting with Hanumān; the former's sojourn to the Rishyamukha, and interview with Sugriva; Rāma's raising the confidence of Sugriva, and his friendship with the latter; and the encounter between Vāli and Sugriva; the destruction of Vāli, the establishment of Sugriva on the throne; and Tārā's lamentation; the understanding between Rāma and Sugriva as to the time for commencing the march; Rāma's stay during the rainy season; and the ire of the lion of Raghu's race; the levying of forces; and the despatch of envoys in different directions; and the assignment by Sugriva of different quarters to the monkeys; the making over of his ring by Rāma to Hanumān; Jāmbubāna's discovery of the cave; the fasting of the monkeys on the shore of the ocean; Hanuman's interview with Sampāti; Hanumān's ascension of the mountain, and his bounding over the main; and his sight of the Maināka at the injunction of Ocean; the ring of Rākshasis; Hanumān's meeting with the Rākshasa Chyāgrāha; Hanumān's destruction of Sinhikāya; and Hanumān's sight of Lankā, and his entrance by night into Lankā; his ascertaining of conduct in times of helplessness; his journey to the tavern; and his sight of the inner apartments; and his sight of Rāvana and of his car Pushpaka; his walk to the Asoka wood, and sight there of Sitā; his presentation of the ring to Sitā and converse with her; and the roaring of the Rākshasis; and dreaming of the dream by Trijata; Sitā's handing a gem to Hanumān; and the breaking down of trees; and the flight of the Rākshasis, and slaughter of the slaves; and the wind-god's Son being taken captive; and his terrible roars while burning down Lankā; and his bounding back over the ocean; and the forcible possession of honey; and Hanumān's consoling Rāghava, and handing him the gem; Rāma's interview with Ocean; and Nāla's constructing the bridge, the army's crossing of the ocean; and the nightly seige of Lankā; and Rāma's interview with Bibhishana; the communication as to the means of destruction; and the destruction of Kumbhakarna and Meghanānda; and the destruction of Rāvana, and the recovery of Sitā in enemy's city; and the sprinkling of Bibhishana, and the sight of Pushpaka; Rāma's return towards Ayodhyā, and meeting with Bharadwāja; despatch of Hanumān; and Rāma's meeting with Bharata; and the installation of Rāma; and the dismissal of all the forces; and Rāma's pleasing his subjects, and renunciation of Sitā,—all else besides concerning Rāma on earth, that hath not yet taken place,—have been dealt with by the worshipful sage in the last book.